Holdback-hook



PATENTED FEB. 16, 1904.

H. BBEIDING. HOLDBAGK HOOK.

APPLIOATION FILED we. a, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

ATTORNEY "cams vzrzas m, momma. wnsuwumu n c 7 UNiTnn STATES Patented February 16, 1904.

HENRY BREIDING, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS.

HOLDBACK-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 752,023, dated February 16, 1904.

Application filed August 8, 1903 Serial No. 168,723- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY BREIDING, a citizen of the United States, residing'at Sterling, in the county of Whiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Holdback-HoOks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it. appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to holdback-hooks for vehicles, and pertains more specially to that class thereof which are adapted to automatically release the holdback-strap.

The construction of my device is such as to fit it more particularly for use on the lower face of the shaft, and it is not designed to be used in any other position thereon. On the lower face of the shaft the hook is practically out of sight and is less liable to injury than if placed upon the side or top of the shaft.

Another advantage in my device lies in its simplicity and consequent cheapness of manufacture.

In the drawings, Figure 1 exhibits a section of a vehicle shaft inverted, with the holdback-hook secured to the lower face thereof. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing a section of a shaft from the outer side thereof, with the hook secured thereto.

The holdback-hook comprises a support 1, a seat2 for the loop of the holdback-strap, and an arm 3, curved upwardly near its central portion, so as to be for a short distance in proximity to the lower face of the shaft. The seat2 is integral at one end with the support 1 and at the other end with the arm 3, these three parts being formed of one piece of spring metal, preferably crucible spring-steel.

I The end of the support 1 is turned at right angles to form a stud 42, inserted in a corresponding perforation in the shaft 5. The stud 4 can be formed into a screw, if desired, and the hook screwed intothe shaft. A clip 6, secured to the shaft, engages the'support 1 and overcomes any tendency of the hook to turn upon its pivotal point, the stud 4.

At its point of junction with a. Seat 2 the support 1 is bent downwardly, so as to suspend such seat a slight distance-below the shaft and in a plane parallel with the lower face thereof,

the seat 2 being disposed diagonally of the shaft 5, so as to be at right angles to the holdback-strap 7, so that the loop of such strap will set squarely thereon." The space between the curve of the arm 3 and the face of the shaft 5 is slightly less than the thickness of the strap 7 so as to prevent the accidental release of the strap.

The operation of my invention is similar to that of other devices of this class. In securing the horse to the vehicle the loop of the holdback strap is slipped'over the end of the arm 3 and into place on the seat 2. In this position the strap extends upwardly and rearwardly on the inner side of the shaft. When the horse is removed from the shafts, the holdbac'k-straps are automatically released.

The diagonal position of the seat 2 not only permits such seat to conform to the position of the end of the strap, but it results in the formation of an obtuse angle at the point of junction of such seat with the arm 3, which enables the loop on the strap to pass without resistance from the seat to the arm in the release of the strap.

The tension of the hook is such as to permit the arm 3 to be forced slightly away from the face of the shaft by the passage of the strap between such parts,but at the same time prevent any perceptible movement of the seat 2 from the strain of the holdback thereon. The tendency of such strain is to throw the end of the arm 3 outwardly, and, as already stated, it is overcome by the use of the clip 6. In this way the greater part of the strain is thrown upon the clip,.proportionately relieving the bent part of the support by which the seat 2- is sustained.

To facilitate the insertion of the strap into the hook or the release thereof, it is necessary that the incline of the curved portion of the arm 3 should be gradual in each direction, so that the strap will move readily thereon. It is apparent that a more abrupt incline approaching that of a hump would interfere with the operation of the strap.

While it has been stated that the location of the hook on the lower face of the shaft is preferred, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to that location, as the device can be adapted to be used on the sides or top of the shaft. A hook of my construction is peculiarly adapted for location on the lower face of the shaft, however, not only on account of the loop-support being in a plane parallel with the line of the shaft, so as to be practically concealed thereby; but when the hook is beneath the shaft the pull of the strap is upward and against the shaft, making it less liable to be torn therefrom.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s

1. A holdback-hook, adapted to be secured to the shaft of a vehicle, comprising a seat member disposed diagonally of the shaft, and in a plane parallel therewith, and a forwardlyprojected arm, curved upwardly into proximity to the face of the shaft, such arm being a support; a seat for the holdback-strap; a

forwardly extended arm, curved upwardly into proximity to the face of the shaft; such seat being integral with said support at one end and with said arm at the other end; and means for rigidly securing said support to the shaft, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in'a holdback-hook, of the support 1, provided with a stud 4:; the seat 2, integral with the support 1; arm 3, integral with the seat 2; and clip 6, secured to the shaft, and engaging the support 1, substantially as shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY BREIDING.

Witnesses:

F. A. GOULD, JOHN MEE. 

